How long do these watches sit at the AD?

[mjh315]

After wearing my new rolexes for a few months this thought/question never came to me until now. I live in a very middle-class area and would assume my local AD doesn't sell their pieces often.

I would wonder if it's common for a watch to sit at the AD for over 1 year? Even more then 2 to 3 years?

Would it be typical for the dealer to make this known if it's been sitting there so long and already getting close to a recommended service time?

[Old Expat Beast]

Could be a few years on the less popular models. I doubt the AD would advertise that fact, but it shouldn't really matter much, and you still get a two-year warranty to cover any ill effects anyway.

[boywondergq1]

According to them... seconds.

[AF_Rob]

Originally Posted by boywondergq1

According to them... seconds.

HA! yeah... They are good at putting the pressure on.

[Duey]

Last time I was at the Wynn in LV they had a couple of stickered F serial DD in the case

[Wesley Crusher]

SS sports models will not sit around for long, but the dressier TT or solid gold models can sit around for a while.

[Jim P]

Late January when there was that talk of Rolex increasing prices a lot of pieces sold off in my local ADs. I personally moved one myself!

[bdex75]

I think that it really depends on the geography of the AD. In Vegas and NYC and LA I am sure that Rolex inventory turns faster than in a small AD in a very middle class area of the Midwest like where I am at.


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[Tyl3r]

Originally Posted by bdex75

I think that it really depends on the geography of the AD. In Vegas and NYC and LA I am sure that Rolex inventory turns faster than in a small AD in a very middle class area of the Midwest like where I am at.

However, there are less ADs in less populated areas. I'm sure it evens out.

[bdex75]

I am sure it does even out in the end. Come to think of it I am not sure I have ever seen a platinum DD or Daytona in the flesh. But I only frequent two smaller independent ad's.


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[Swaggy P]

I have my AD order my pieces for this reason alone: Their showcase watches sit. When they sit, they get handled by numerous tire kickers--kinda like floor model couches. Nonetheless, they want you to buy these floor model watches at retail prices. Not me. Ever.

[redsubby]

Originally Posted by Duey

Last time I was at the Wynn in LV they had a couple of stickered F serial DD in the case

The AD needs to half price them and move those....

[datejusting]

I recently bought a watch from my AD that he had for 8 years. They keep the watches until they sell them.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by datejusting

I recently bought a watch from my AD that he had for 8 years. They keep the watches until they sell them.

Wow. Which model was it?

[omx5o]

Originally Posted by datejusting

I recently bought a watch from my AD that he had for 8 years. They keep the watches until they sell them.

So was it 'new' or vintage?

Perhaps this is why Rolex started random serials.

[Mr DateJust]

All depends on where the AD is. Big chains in a large city will not have watches for as long. Smaller indy ADs in less populated areas may have pieces for a while. I got my 16570 NOS from a smaller AD which they had had in the safe for about 3 years.

[MCOSUB]

I guess it would be possible to buy a watch that would need to be serviced right away if it had been sitting at an AD for 8 years?

[Divingdud]

Just think how many times that 'new' rolex might have been tried on over a period of one or two years of being held in stock by the AD, by any potential customer. When we go to buy a new piece of HiFi, most customers insist on a sealed box, and the item is thus pristine. The new rolex is most times a display piece, but the price is the list price.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Divingdud

Just think how many times that 'new' rolex might have been tried on over a period of one or two years of being held in stock by the AD, by any potential customer. When we go to buy a new piece of HiFi, most customers insist on a sealed box, and the item is thus pristine. The new rolex is most times a display piece, but the price is the list price.

yup as well as handled and put in and out of a case daily for years, I have personally seen how this is done at night and it aint pretty sometimes!

alot of these "NOS" look like they have already been worn, so...

[T. Ferguson]

The professional models like the GMT and Sub don't loiter long. First off they are popular and secondly there aren't many variations. But a watch like the Datejust might sit for awhile even though they sell a lot of them, the reason being that they are available in numerous configurations of dials/bezels/bracelets etc.

[zeuloa]

I purchased my z-series (bracelet code is 2006) NOS Sea-Dweller in 2011 at a small AD in a small town. They also had a 10460M 2-liner (which a friend bought), 36mm Explorer, Explorer II with lug holes. They also had a SS Daytona in display.

A near by town AD had another SS Daytona, and an M series 16610LV.

Interestingly enough sports models were not big sellers... people in these parts preferred Datejust and DayDate.

[The Sub-lime One]

Until they are sold?

[watchwatcher]

As others have said, the more popular SS models will not sit around too long...as the price goes up-and/or the 'desirability' factor goes down, the watch will sit more.

[MonBK]

Originally Posted by The Sub-lime One

Until they are sold?

My guess as well.

[HogwldFLTR]

The real question is how much does it matter if a watch sits unused? Does the oil evaporate through the sealed case? Does it degrade or pick up contaminants from use? I would tend to believe not but maybe someone has some data one way or another.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

The real question is how much does it matter if a watch sits unused? Does the oil evaporate through the sealed case? Does it degrade or pick up contaminants from use? I would tend to believe not but maybe someone has some data one way or another.

Assuming no changes in the model from those currently leaving the factory then the only major difference to me is if it's been sitting and the AD has a lower cost in the piece then perhaps I may be able to get a better deal.

[Swaggy P]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

The real question is how much does it matter if a watch sits unused? Does the oil evaporate through the sealed case? Does it degrade or pick up contaminants from use? I would tend to believe not but maybe someone has some data one way or another.

That's not as big of a deal to me... For me, it's the handling by the jeweler every morning and night, all the "customers" trying them on, adjusting the hands counter-clockwise, etc... I require an ordered, sealed piece.

[Hodog16]

When I recently bought my wife her Datejust, I asked the AD how long it had been sitting in the case. They looked it up and were honest that it had been there for 6 months or so.

I don't think it's a huge deal as long as the stickers are intact. Seems like most big company AD's will locate a model from another store if desired which sat in a case there as well. I guess unless you see them take it out of the styrofoam from the factory there's no telling.

[Racerdj]

My guess is minutes to years with various models.

[mjh315]

This is very informative. Now in the future I will be sure to inquire if I every do buy another watch at the AD. I would much prefer to order models that haven't been tried on and handled several times.